Removable cleat protector for cleated cycling shoes

ABSTRACT

A removable cleat protector for a cycling shoe having a cleat with particular size and shape attached thereto. The cleat protector including: a contoured base; and a plurality of wall sections extending upwardly from a perimeter of the contoured base, the wall sections having a catch portion sized and shaped to snap into and contact with one end of the cleat, and a cavity portion sized and shaped to securely contact with another end of the cleat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Patent Application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/486,261, filed on May 14, 2011 and entitled “Removable Cleat Protector For Cleated Bicycle Shoes,” the entire content of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to protective covers or cleat protectors for cleats located on the bottom of footwear, and more particularly a removable cleat protector for cleated cycling shoes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to derive more power from pedaling bicycles or stationary bikes, various systems have been developed over many years that allow a rider to detachably engage the rider's shoes with the pedals. Early toe clip system offered significant advantages over platform pedals because they allow the cyclist to drive the pedal during the full rotation, i.e., pulling up on the pedal as well as pushing down. They also allow riders to wear conventional shoes without any special attachments on the soles.

In most current systems using cleats on the shoes and clipless pedals, a plate or other cleat structure at the bottom of the shoe snaps into a spring-loaded holder on the pedal. This is accomplished by the rider pressing his or her foot down onto the pedal. To remove the cleated shoe from the pedals, the rider will twists his or her foot to the side to detach the cleat from the spring loaded holder. These systems are more efficient that toe clip systems. One drawback, however, is that these systems include a cleat that extends downwardly from the bottom of the sole of the shoe, which is typically formed or metal and/or hard plastic. These cleats can be damaged by walking on the ground and cleats can likewise make noise and scuff flooring.

There are covers adapted to cover the bottom of a shoe having cleats including covers that snap to the bottom of the entire sole, covers that snap onto the cleats, and variations thereof. However, the prior art cleat covers that snap directly onto the cleat component tend to be made of relatively rigid plastic and the prior cleat covers fail to contemplate the wide range of surfaces cyclist might traverse while off the bicycle, from jagged rocky terrain to flat slick surfaces. Consequently, the covers may fall off while traversing uneven terrain, and the cleat cover may not provide sufficient slip resistance while walking along slick surfaces, and the cyclist may thus lose traction and slip.

There accordingly remains a need for a removable cleat protector for cleated cycling shoes that remain securely engaged on the cleats while providing good traction whether the wearer is traversing jagged rocky surfaces or slick flat floors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the present invention is a removable cleat protector for a cycling shoe having a cleat with particular size and shape attached thereto. The cleat protector including: a contoured base; and a plurality of wall sections extending upwardly from a perimeter of the contoured base, the wall sections having a catch portion sized and shaped to snap into and contact with one end of the cleat, and a cavity portion sized and shaped to securely contact with another end of the cleat.

In some embodiments, the present invention is a removable cleat protector for a cycling shoe having a cleat with particular size and shape attached thereto. The cleat protector including: a base with raised pads formed on an underside thereof; and a plurality of raised perimeter walls extending from an upper side thereof, the raised walls having cavities foamed therein to adapt to the particular size and shape of the cleat, wherein the cleat protector is formed of elastomeric material.

In some embodiments, the removable cleat protector is sized and shaped to fit a particular style and brand of cleats that are to be attached to the bottom of cycling shoes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-I are various views of a first exemplary embodiment of a removable cleat protector, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the underside of a cycling shoe with a cleat showing the removable cleat protector affixed thereto, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-I are various views of a second exemplary embodiment of a removable cleat protector, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-I are various views of a third exemplary embodiment of a removable cleat protector, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-I are various views of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a removable cleat protector, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the present invention is a removable cleat protector for cleated cycling shoes including: a cleat protector body made of pliable material with cleat retainers portions extending upwardly from a ground contact portion of the cleat protector body for securely detachably retaining the cleat protector to cover the bottom of a cleated cycling shoe, a plurality of raised pads formed on an undersigned of the ground contact portion of the cleat protector and in contact with the ground surface to provide cushioning and slip resistance, and a tab for use in donning and removing the cleat protector from cleats.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-I, a first exemplary embodiment of a retractable cleat protector 10 for cleated cycling shoe, wherein FIG. 1A is a front view, FIG. 1B is a side view, FIG. 1C is a rear view, FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view through view lines 1D-1D of FIG. 1C, FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view through view lines 1E-1E of FIG. 1C, FIG. 1F is a cross-sectional view through view lines 1F-1F of FIG. 1C, FIG. 1G is a cross-sectional view through view lines 1G-1G of FIG. 1C, FIG. 1H is a front view, and FIG. 1I is a rear view thereof. The removable cleat protector 10 is formed of flexible and stretchable material. The inventors have found that material such as compression molded rubber, having a durometer of about 60-65 Shore A functions well, although other ranges will also work. An additional benefit of this material is that it actively grips to the cleat and has a smoothness such that it practically establishes close contact with the cleat such that it practically sticks to the entire or a substantial portion of the relevant surface of the cleat to help hold the cleat protector in place. The cleat protectors of the present invention are closely contoured to match the shape of particular cleats and thus to mitigate the torque which would have otherwise been substantial if the material used to faun the cleat protector was stiffer or the bottom is a flat plane as prior art cleat covers. In some embodiments, cleat protectors of the present invention hug or conform to the front surface (the surface opposite to the surface which is attached to the cycling shoe) and the (contoured) side surfaces of the cleat to encompass the entire or a substantial portion of the exposed (not connected to the shoe) surfaces of the cleat and thereby to accommodate or house the cleat therein.

The cleat protector 10 has an overall shape and sized adapted to closely fit onto a cleat to which it will attach to. FIG. 2 show the removable cleat protector 10 attached to the cleat (not shown) on the bottom of a shoe S. Turning back to FIGS. 1A-H, the removable cleat protector 10 has a contoured base 12 with wall sections 14, 16 and 18 that extend upwardly from perimeter areas of the contoured base 12. In some embodiments, the perimeter wall section 14 has a catch portion 20 which cuts into wall section 14, as best shown in FIG. 1D. The perimeter wall section 14 can also have an inwardly angled surface 21 to further catch on the cleat (not shown). The catch portion 20 is adapted to snap into contact with a cleat (not shown). Wall section 18 has an overhanging portion 22 which forms a cavity 23 which is also adapted to also engage with a cleat (not shown). A grasp tab 24 extends outward from wall section 18 and is used to pull on the cleat protector 10 when fitting it onto a cleat or removing it from the cleat. An aperture can be formed through the grasp tab 24 to allow pairs of the cleat protectors 10 to be clipped together or hung up.

As best seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B, ID, and 1G, various depressions 30, 32, and 34 are formed in the front and/or sides of the contoured base 12, which closely conform the cleat protector 10 to the shape and size of the particular cleat. Located on an rear side of the cleat protector 10 are two spaced apart raised pad areas 40 and 42 near the grasp tab 24, and a raised pad area 44. The pad areas 40, 42, and 44 extend outwardly from the rear side 38 of the cleat protector 10 and provide ground contact areas that provide shock absorbance capability and wear comfort and increase the skid resistance of the cycling shoe when the cleat protector 10 is worn to cover the cleat. The material used to form the cleat protector tend to hug to the relevant surfaces of the cleat and when walking, the cleat protector does not pop off, which is a problem with prior art cleat protectors worn on the bottom of cleats on cycling shoes.

In some cases, the cleat protectors of the embodiments of FIGS. 3A-H best fit and conform to Time RSX™, Time ICLIC™, or like shaped cleats.

FIGS. 3A-H depict second embodiments of a removable cleat protector 100 which has an overall shape and sized adapted to closely fit onto a cleat to which it will attach. It has a contoured base 112 with wall sections 114 and 118 that extend upwardly from perimeter areas of the contoured base 112. The perimeter wall section 114 has a catch portion 120 which cuts into wall section 14, as best shown in FIG. 3D. The perimeter wall section 114 can also have an inwardly angled surface 121 to further catch on the cleat (not shown). The catch portion 120 is adapted to snap into contact with a cleat (not shown). Wall section 118 has an overhanging portion 122 which forms a cavity 123 which is also adapted to also engage with a cleat (not shown). A grasp tab 124 extends outward from wall section 118 and is used to pull on the cleat protector 100 when fitting it onto a cleat or removing it from the cleat. An aperture can be formed through the grasp tab 124 to allow pairs of the cleat protectors 100 to be clipped together or hung up.

Depressions can be formed in the contoured base 112 to closely conform the cleat protector 100 to the cleat. Located on a rear side of the cleat protector 10 is a raised pad area 140 near the grasp tab 124. A raised pad area is located near a front of the cleat protector 100. The pad areas 140 and 144 extend outwardly from the rear side 138 of the cleat protector 100 and provide ground contact areas that provide shock absorbance capability and wear comfort and increase the skid resistance of the cycling shoe when the cleat protector 100 is worn to cover the cleat. The material used to form the cleat protector will tend to hug to the cleat and when walking, will not pop off, which is a problem with prior art cleat protectors worn on the bottom of cleats on cycling shoes. Unlike the embodiment 10 of FIGS. 1A-H, the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-H has a centrally located concavity 138.

In some cases, the cleat protectors of the embodiments of FIGS. 3A-H best fit and conform to Speedplay Zero™, or like shaped cleats.

FIGS. 4A-H depict third embodiments of removable cleat protector 200 that has an overall shape and size adapted to closely fit onto a particular cleat to which it attaches. The cleat protector 200 is similar to the cleat protector of FIGS. 1A-H, which is design for a different particular cleat. As shown, the removable cleat protector 200 has and contoured base 212 with wall sections 214 and 218 that extend upwardly from perimeter areas of the contoured base 212. The perimeter wall section 214 has a catch portion 220 which cuts into wall section 214, as best shown in FIG. 4D. The perimeter wall section 214 can also have an inwardly angled surface 221 to further catch on the cleat (not shown). The catch portion 220 is adapted to snap into contact with a cleat (not shown). Wall section 218 has an overhanging portion 222 which forms a cavity 223 which is also adapted to also engage with a cleat (not shown). A grasp tab 224 extends outward from wall section 218 and is used to pull on the cleat protector 200 when fitting it onto a cleat or removing it from the cleat. An aperture can be formed through the grasp tab 224 to allow pairs of the cleat protectors 200 to be clipped together or hung up.

As best seen in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4D, and 4G, various depressions 230, 232, and 234 are formed in the front of the contoured base 212, which will closely conform the cleat protector 200 to the cleat. Located on an rear side of the cleat protector 200 are two spaced apart raised pad areas 240 and 242 near the grasp tab 224, and a raised pad area 244. The pad areas 240, 242, and 244 extend outwardly from the rear side 238 of the cleat protector 200 and provide ground contact areas that will provide shock absorbance capability and wear comfort and increase the skid resistance of the cycling shoe when the cleat protector 200 is worn to cover the cleat. The material used to form the cleat protector will tend to hug to the cleat and when walking, will not pop off, which is a problem with prior art cleat protectors worn on the bottom of cleats on cycling shoes.

In some cases, the cleat protectors of the embodiments of FIGS. 4A-H best fit and conform to some models of Shimano™, such as Shimano SPD-SL™, or like shaped cleats.

FIGS. 5A-H illustrate fourth embodiments of removable cleat protector 300 that has an overall shape and size adapted to closely fit onto a specific cleat to which it attaches. As shown, the removable cleat protector 300 has a contoured base 312 with wall sections 314 and 318 that extend upwardly from perimeter areas of the contoured base 312. The perimeter wall section 314 has a catch portion 320 which cuts into wall section 314, as best shown in FIG. 5D. The perimeter wall section 314 can also have an inwardly angled surface 321 to further catch on the cleat (not shown). The catch portion 320 is adapted to snap into contact with a cleat (not shown). Wall section 318 has an overhanging portion 322 which forms a cavity 323 which is also adapted to also engage with a cleat (not shown). A grasp tab 324 extends outward from wall section 318 and is used to pull on the cleat protector 300 when fitting it onto a cleat or removing it from the cleat. An aperture can be formed through the grasp tab 324 to allow pairs of the cleat protectors 300 to be clipped together or hung up. As best seen in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5D, and 5G, various depressions 330, 332, and 334 are formed in the front of the contoured base 312, which will closely conform the cleat protector 300 to the cleat.

Located on an rear side of the cleat protector 300 are two spaced apart raised pad areas 340 and 342 near the grasp tab 324, and a raised pad area 344. The pad areas 340, 342, and 244 extend outwardly from the rear side 338 of the cleat protector 300 and provide ground contact areas that will provide shock absorbance capability and wear comfort and increase the skid resistance of the cycling shoe when the cleat protector 300 is worn to cover the cleat. The material used to form the cleat protector will tend to hug to the cleat and when walking, will not pop off, which is a problem with prior art cleat protectors worn on the bottom of cleats on cycling shoes.

In some cases, the cleat protectors of the embodiments of FIGS. 5A-H best fit and conform to Look Keo™, Look Campagnolo™ or like shaped cleats.

In some embodiments, cleat protectors of the present invention hug or conform to the front surface (the surface opposite to the surface which is attached to the cycling shoe) and the (contoured) side surfaces of the cleat to encompass the entire or a substantial portion of the exposed (not connected to the shoe) surfaces of the cleat and thereby to accommodate or house the cleat therein.

The retractable cleat protectors 10, 100, 200 and 300 can be molded from natural or synthetic plastic, rubber, silicone, and/or other elastomeric materials, with the cleat cover portions formed of the same type but harder durometer rated material that the loops, or two dissimilar materials can be molded together to form the retractable cleat protectors, 110, 100, 200 and 300. This way, the cleat protectors can easily hug or conform to the exposed surfaces of the cleat to accommodate the entire or a substantial portion of the exposed surfaces of the cleat. Also, while the cleat protectors have been described for use with certain shaped or branded cleats, the cleat protectors can be sized and shaped to fit cycling cleats having any sizes and shapes.

Although the example of bicycles with cleat receiving pedals is used herein, the retractable cleat protector of the invention can be used with other pedal operated vehicles besides bicycles.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 

1. A removable cleat protector for a cycling shoe having a cleat with particular size and shape attached thereto comprising: a contoured base; and a plurality of wall sections extending upwardly from a perimeter of the contoured base, the wall sections having a catch portion sized and shaped to snap into and contact with one end of the cleat, and a cavity portion sized and shaped to securely contact with another end of the cleat.
 2. The removable cleat protector of claim 1, further comprising an upper cleat facing surface with a lower ridge with a recess formed therein for engagement of one end of a cleat, and a cupped portion with a recess formed therein at an opposite end of the cleat protector for engagement with another end of the cleat.
 3. The removable cleat protector of claim 1, wherein the cleat protector is formed with a compression molded rubber having a durometer in a range of about 60-65 Shore A.
 4. The removable cleat protector of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of depressions formed in the contoured base to further conform the cleat protector to the shape and size of the cleat.
 5. The removable cleat protector of claim 1, wherein the wall sections include an inwardly angled surface sized and shaped to further conform the cleat protector to the shape and size of the cleat.
 6. The removable cleat protector of claim 1, wherein the wall sections include an overhanging portion which forms the cavity portion and is sized and shaped to further conform the cleat protector to the shape and size of the cleat
 7. The removable cleat protector of claim 1, further comprising at least one padded area for ground contact of the cleat protector to provide shock absorbance.
 8. The removable cleat protector of claim 1, further comprising a grasp tab extending outward from wall section to pull on the cleat protector when fitting onto the cleat or removing from the cleat.
 9. The removable cleat protector of claim 8, wherein the grasp pad includes an aperture to allow pairs of the cleat protectors to be clipped together or hung up.
 10. The removable cleat protector of claim 1, wherein the cleat protector is formed from an elastomeric material.
 11. A removable cleat protector for a cycling shoe having a cleat with particular size and shape attached thereto comprising: a base with raised pads formed on an underside thereof; and a plurality of raised perimeter walls extending from an upper side thereof, the raised walls having cavities formed therein to adapt to the particular size and shape of the cleat, wherein the cleat protector is formed of elastomeric material.
 12. The removable cleat protector of claim 11, further comprising an upper cleat facing surface with a lower ridge with a recess formed therein for engagement of one end of a cleat, and a cupped portion with a recess formed therein at an opposite end of the cleat protector for engagement with another end of the cleat.
 13. The removable cleat protector of claim 11, wherein the cleat protector is formed with a compression molded rubber having a durometer in a range of about 60-65 Shore A.
 14. The removable cleat protector of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of depressions formed in the contoured base to further conform the cleat protector to the shape and size of the cleat.
 15. The removable cleat protector of claim 11, wherein the wall sections include an inwardly angled surface sized and shaped to further conform the cleat protector to the shape and size of the cleat.
 16. The removable cleat protector of claim 11, wherein the wall sections include an overhanging portion which forms the cavity portion and is sized and shaped to further conform the cleat protector to the shape and size of the cleat
 17. The removable cleat protector of claim 11, further comprising at least one padded area for ground contact of the cleat protector to provide shock absorbance. 